3 May, 2012The Supreme Court rules in favour of the union. The government must now officially recognise Napoleón Gómez as general secretary.
MEXICO: On May 2 2012, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Mexican Miners' and Metalworkers' Union (SNTMMSSRM) and its leader and general secretary, Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, in response to the union's appeal on behalf of its leader.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare must now recognize Napoleón Gómez Urrutia as the union's legitimately chosen general secretary and issue the corresponding formal recognition papers (toma de nota).
Fernando Lopes, IMF Assistant General Secretary and Jorge Almeida, Regional Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean were present when the court announced its ruling, as were Lorraine Clewer of the AFL-CIO, Benjamin Davis of the USW and doctors Carlos del Buen and Oscar Alzaga.
The union appointed Napoleón Gómez as general secretary in May 2008, but the Ministry of Labour refused to recognize the validity of his election, alleging violations of union rules. Gómez Urrutia went into exile in Canada and the National Prosecutor's Office requested the federal courts to issue a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of the criminal use of illegally obtained funds of $55 million. The final arrest warrant outstanding for the miners' leader was cancelled at the end of April this year.
The IMF congratulates all Mexican miners on this victory, said Jorge Almeida.